The Washington critic., 1887-02-28
AMERICAN ANNIVERSARIES.

The New York Independent Of Feb
ruary "a. contains an interesting article
on the proposed celebrations of 1889
and 1902, prepared by Mr.. A. d. An.
derson, the secretary of the Board Of
Promotion, and summarizing the his.
tory Of these projects from the begin
ming. 1t is shown how they origi-
mated, what has been done to devel.
ope and promote them, how the move
ment has been received throughout the
country and what action Congress has
taken In regard to them. The great
objects mad in view by the Board of
Promotion have been often stated, but
1t Is well to keep them clearly aud
prominently before the public. They
are:
]. A Constitutional Centennial Celebration
at the National Capital, in 1889, By the sixteen
American Republics in honor of the Tooth an
niversary of the Constitution OF the parent
Republic-the United States.
3. Worlds Exposition at the National
Capital In 1892, In honor of the sOOth anniyer-
sary of the discovery of America by Colum-
bus
0. A Permanent Exposition at the National
Capital of the antiquities history, arts and
Industries Of the Three Americas. TO be the
outgrowth of the Worlds Exposition of 1892.
and to remain under governmental control.
The independent takes broad and
patriotic view OF tho matter, which Is
all the more gratifying as coming from
New York. There is feeling on the
part Of many citizens Of that city,
which Is quite natural, that as Presl.
dent Washington was inaugurated In
New York and constitutional govern.
ment In this country dates from the
commencement Of his administration,
the Centennial of the Constitution
should be commemorated there.
Owing, however. to the enlarged scope
of the celebration, which is Intended
to be not only national, but interna.
tional In Its character, including all the
republics Of the Western Hemisphere
as well as our own, the proprlety of Its
being held at the seat of government
Of the parent Republic and under the
immediate eye Of Congress. will not be
seriously questioned by the people al
large. The hundredth anniversary Of
Washington's Inauguration might very
properly be kept In New York and
made an occasion of much local inter.
est, but the National Capital is ad.
mitiedly the appropriate and only place
for the grand constitutional reunion
which is contemplated,
Why this grand Centennial should
be held. as also the celebration OF 1892
the Independent thus forelbly and in
telligently states
Both celebrations are important and neither
one should be given up for the sake of til,
other. The Constitutional Celebration coult
not but have benofoont hHueAce, not onl,
upon the three Americas, but upon Europe
The example OF the impossible form OF gov
ernment that has lasted for a hundred year
must strengthen the weaker republics OF th'
south in their purposes aud inspire the peo
pies OF Europe to persist in Il constitutions
progress. II viii be TO the glory OF America
to plan for celebrations whose effect shall b.
TO foster peace and cement the brotherhoo,
Of nations. And will Il not he wise an,
helpful example set the nations OF Europe
who are taxing their peop'es to the point
bankruptcy to prepare for the inevitable
wary Spain and Italy Will join us in 1s9l
Lot THEN champion the agitation of peace. TIL
Society of Columbus in Madrid has don
much to arouse the people of spain to the i'm
portance OF the celebration. But We would
have II take on more Of an internationa
character. and be an international celobra
tion OF peace and progress In that way tn
tai. II.
celebrated